Abstract
In order to evaluate whether the response of a reflex vagal stimulation (oculo-cardiac reflex:OCR) is influenced by the ANS tone (sympathetic or parasympathetic dominance) and stages of alertness (wakefulness: W, active sleep: AS, quiet sleep: QS;,.eighteen normal full-term (39-41 weeks of gestation) neonates, were studied at 3±1 days. Eye polygraphy and heart rate recordings were performed between 8am and 1pm. Alertness stage was defined in real time by combining common behavioral and electrophysiological data. The standardized OCR (bi-ocular compression at 100 mm Hg during 10 sec) was done after 5 min of a well established alertness stage. The following heart rate patterns variables were evaluated: a) longest RR interval (LRR) within the 20 sec following onset of the OCR (i. e. the reflex vagal stimulation response); b) mean RR interval and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in the 2 min that preceded the OCR onset (i.e. estimation of the ANS tone preceding the stimulation). The OCR response differed significantly according to the stage of alertness: it was longer in AS, shorter in QS and intermediate in W. This could reflect different modulations of the afferent pathway of reflex vagal stimulation. The mean RR interval just preceding the OCR influenced its response (p < 0.001); however, a significant correlation existed only during W (r=0.85; p<0.001). During sleep states the OCR response (or ANS reflexivity) is dissociated from ANS tone, whereas during W tone and reflexivity of ANS show a strong correlation.
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Peirano, P., Cauchemez, B. THE OCULO-CARDIAC REFLEX (OCR): INFLUENCE OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS) TONE AND ALERTNESS STAGES IN NORMAL NEONATES. Pediatr Res 32, 741 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00050
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199212000-00050